Steeped in centuries of history and nestled high in the Andes, Cusco is more than just an entrance to Machu Picchu, it’s a destination worth exploring in its own right. Once the capital of the Inca Empire, the city is full of history, culture, and appeal, with a mix of ancient ruins and colonial architecture around every corner– nowhere is that more apparent than in its most unique hotels. From previous monasteries to perfectly restored estates, these five high-end remains offer not only excellent comfort and service, however likewise a genuine connection to the city’s rich and interesting past. Read on for Humboldt Travel’s favourite properties in this stunning city.
Belmond Monasterio Right in the centre of Cusco, just a short walk from the buzzing Plaza de Armas, Belmond Hotel Monasterio feels like a serene escape into another period. Embed in a former 16th-century abbey constructed atop ancient Inca foundations, the hotel mixes centuries-old appeal with modern comfort. 
With its serene yards and colonial art work, the hotel gives you a real sense of the city’s past.< img width ="920"height ="767 "src="// www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20width='920'%20height='767'%20viewBox='0%200%20920%20767'%3E%3C/svg%3E"alt=""data-src ="https://www.aluxurytravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Belmond-Monasterio-2-920x767.jpg"/ >< img width="920" height
=”767″src= “https://www.aluxurytravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Belmond-Monasterio-2-920×767.jpg” alt= “”/ > Dining here is an absolute treat, with its dining establishment OQRE offering true Peruvian cuisine with views across the leafy courtyard, and El Tupay, serving seasonal international cuisine with live opera in the candlelight lounge
three nights a week. Monasterio is more than simply
a high-end hotel– it’s a place of total tranquillity to rest after your busy days checking out the surrounding area. Belmond Palacio Nazarenas Tucked behind ancient stone walls in a peaceful corner of Cusco, Belmond Palacio Nazarenas is an urban sanctuary, filled with a discreet
sense of elegance. Once a 17th-century convent, the hotel mixes abundant history with modern style. Each suite feels like a personal sanctuary, filled with handwoven fabrics, carved wood and colonial-style design, each with access to the only outside heated swimming pool in the city. The pool is the perfect spot to loosen up after a day in the Andes, and
the medspa, influenced by Incan recovery, adds a deeper layer of relaxation. < img width ="920"height ="767" src="https://www.aluxurytravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Naz-3-920x767.png"alt =" "/ > Whether you’re dining on Andean cuisine at Mauka or drinking a rejuvenating pisco sour by the pool, the experience makes love and extraordinary. Inkaterra La Casona Located in a peaceful plaza in the heart of Cusco, Inkaterra La Casona is a beautifully brought back 16th-century manor home that feels more like a private home than a hotel. Surrounding the peaceful courtyard, its 11 suites each have chimneys, heated floors and extra-large tubs. The manor is embellished with colonial furnishings, Pre-Columbian fabrics and original murals, blending colonial character with contemporary touches. The service is warm and discreet, without any official reception
desk, simply a dedicated group there to anticipate your every requirement. After exploring Cusco, you can unwind with a locally influenced health club treatment or enjoy a peaceful tea in the lounge. It is understated high-end at its finest– quiet, emotional and deeply linked to the spirit and history of the city. Whatever you need to plan your journey in 2025 Casa Cartagena Casa
Cartagena Store Hotel & Health spa is where history and
modern sophistication
intertwine, using an experience as abundant and captivating as the city itself. Once a 16th-century colonial mansion and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the hotel now includes 15 large suites, each with private terraces, organized around a tranquil courtyard. Each suite combines initial architectural details with contemporary features, including oxygen-enriched air systems to alleviate the effects of high altitude. You can unwind at the health club, which offers treatments influenced by Andean customs, or relax in the indoor hydro-massage swimming pool and sauna. The on-site dining establishment, La Bodega de la Chola, serves raised Peruvian cuisine, mixed drinks and canapés for intimate dining experiences beneath Cusco’s stellar sky.< img width= "920"height="767 "src="// www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20width='920'%20height='767'%20viewBox='0%200%20920%20767'%3E%3C/svg%3E"alt =""data-src
=”https://www.aluxurytravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Del-Inka-4-920×767.png”/ > With its attentive service, historic atmosphere and modern-day comforts, Casa Cartagena provides an intimate and unforgettable experience in the heart of Cusco.
Palacio del Inka
Considered a historical landmark, Palacio del Inka uses a rich tapestry of history and elegance. The hotel is housed in a 500-year-old mansion set throughout from the ancient QoriKancha Temple, simply minutes from the main square of Cusco.
< img width="920 "height ="767"src ="// www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20width='920'%20height='767'%20viewBox='0%200%20920%20767'%3E%3C/svg%3E"alt=""data-src ="https://www.aluxurytravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/La-Cartagena-2-920x767.png"/ >
A larger hotel, Palacio del Inka has 203 individually-designed spaces and suites with feature vaulted, hand-painted ceilings, baroque antiques and Hispanic art which embraces standard Peruvian culture.
After a day of sightseeing, you can loosen up at the Andes Spirit Medspa and dine at the on-site Inti Raymi dining establishment which provides a culinary journey through Peruvian flavours, matched by a choice of great red wines. With its mix of classic architecture, thoughtful high-end, and unbeatable area, Palacio del Inka uses an immersive stay that records the really essence of Cusco.
Whether you’re visiting Cusco to admire the ancient wonders of the Sacred Valley, absorb the city’s colonial appeal, or just unwind, where you remain can form your whole experience. These five high-end hotels provide more than just lovely spaces– they offer you a deeper connection to the city’s rich history and lively culture. With thoughtful service, stunning settings, and a strong sense of place, each one helps make your time in Cusco truly memorable.
Simon Williams Simon Williams is Director of Humboldt Travel. Humboldt Travel is a high-end travel business specialising in tailor made vacations to Latin America, Africa and Asia. If you want to be a guest blogger on A High-end Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please call us.
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